Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures on Oct. 15-16 hosted the third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference with a packed lineup of influential women and their allies, who shared experiences, celebrated achievements, and discussed the future of the freight, passenger, and transit rail industry.
Close to 300 people attended the event, which was filled with dynamic panels, an awards luncheon for the publications’ Women in Rail and Women in Railroad Engineering honorees, and networking opportunities—all at a new, larger venue, the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, just outside of Chicago. Also included this year: a tour of Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Bensenville Yard.
The 2025 Women in Rail Conference featured headliner Annie Adams of Norfolk Southern. Joining her on stage over the course of two days of educational sessions were: Jennifer Hamann of Union Pacific; Herman E. Crosson of Anacostia Rail Holdings; Jean Savage of Trinity Industries, Inc.; John S. Morris III of Metra; Kate Bourgeois of Mississippi Export Railroad; Sarah Watterson of Brightline West; Scott Sandoval of Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.; Cherise Myers of American Public Transportation Association; and many more. These trailblazers work to ensure that more women and young professionals join the industry and move up the passenger and freight rail ladders.
Railway Age and RT&S editors held informal “fireside chat”-style conversations with decision-makers from across the industry, covering everything from career and life trajectories to strategies for leadership, building an effective team, and managing crises to advice on salary negotiation, self-branding, and maintaining a culture of belonging. Among the other moderators were Lisa Tackach of Railroad Construction Company, Inc., and the League of Railway Women; Barbara Wilson of Railroad Financial Corporation; and James T. Riley of the Railway Supply Institute.
Following is a photographic roundup of the event:
Railway Age and RT&S Publisher Jonathan Chalon (pictured above) and RT&S Managing Editor Jennifer McLawhorn (pictured top, right) opened the 2025 Women in Rail event, welcoming the nearly 300 attendees and setting the stage for a packed two days of educational sessions. (Also shown are Railway Age’s Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak, pictured top left, and Senior Editor Carolina Worrell, pictured top, center). (Photographs Courtesy of Willie D. Mills, top; Amsted Rail, bottom).
NS’s Annie Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer (speaking, above), headlined Women in Rail providing insights on recruitment trends, career development, and her professional journey in a “fireside chat” conversation with Railway Age’s Marybeth Luczak and Carolina Worrell and RT&S’s Jennifer McLawhorn. “One message I hope resonated: careers aren’t always linear,” Adams shared after the event. “Some of the most rewarding growth comes from stepping into something new and betting on yourself. NS is a great place to do just that, and I’m proud to champion our railroad and our people every chance I get. Thanks for having us, Railway Age!” (Photograph Courtesy of Willie D. Mills)
One out of every six rail employees is a veteran. Railroading’s Heroes, moderated by Railway Supply Institute President James T. Riley (far right, above), addressed the connection between the military and railroads and the role it plays in companies’ recruitment and development practices—from the field to the C-Suite. Jean Savage, CEO and President of Trinity Industries, Inc. (second from right); Quilesha Hodges, Assistant Terminal Superintendent, Women’s Network Mentorship Chair at BNSF (center); John S. Morris III, Chief Financial Officer of Metra (second from left); and Herman E. Crosson, Chief Safety & Compliance Officer, Anacostia Rail Holdings discussed how having a military background helps them and other freight and passenger railroaders lead and succeed. (Photograph Courtesy of Bhavya sai Vaishnavi Seetamsetti, Project Manager, Horrocks)
Jennifer Hamann (second from right, above) has served Union Pacific for 33 years. Now Executive Vice President and CFO and a 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail award winner, she took part in the three-part Leadership Journeys session in which top railroaders in different industry segments shared career twists, accomplishments and challenges, and how their backgrounds have influenced their leadership styles. Her co-presenters on the freight side of the business were Kate Bourgeois, President and CEO of Mississippi Export Railroad (second from left; a 2022 Railway Age Women in Rail award winner); Jenni Benton, Senior Vice President Commercial at Patriot Rail (far left; a 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail award winner); and Kimia Khatami, Director of Transload Strategy and Operations for CPKC (a 2025 Railway Age 25 “Fast Trackers” Under 40 award winner). Going beyond their résumés, they talked openly about what keeps them up at night and how they deal with challenges; what they look for when hiring; and how they are building a strong culture at their respective companies. (Photograph Courtesy of UP)
The Leadership Journeys session also featured engineering and consulting representatives, with Rachel Burckardt, Senior Vice President/Senior Project Manager-Northeast Lead, Freight Rail National Business Line at WSP USA (left), and Lariza Stewart, Senior Project Manager, Rail, KCI Technologies, Inc. and Chair – AREMA Committee 2 (right). They told attendees about why joining this segment of the industry has been a good career move and what they wished someone had told them before they started, plus what technologies or changes they see shaping its future.
Rounding out the Leadership Journeys session were Janice R. Thomas, Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs/Chief of Staff at Metra (pictured above), and Sarah Watterson, President of Brightline West (pictured top, on screen via Microsoft Teams). They highlighted not only their backgrounds and the commuter and high-speed rail markets, but also how they deal with adversity and the importance of women and their allies lifting each other up. The Leadership Journeys talks were impactful, touching many in the audience.(Top Photograph Courtesy of Lisa Tackach; Bottom Photograph Courtesy of Willie D. Mills)
At the Conference Luncheon Sponsored by CN, we recognized the outstanding honorees of the Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail and RT&S 2025 Women in Railroad Engineering award programs. Nine of Railway Age’s recipients (pictured top with awards judge Barbara Wilson, far right) and seven of RT&S’ recipients (bottom) took part in the celebration and were presented with specially designed plaques. (Photograph Above Courtesy of Carolina Worrell)
Pictured, right, with Janice R. Thomas of Metra, who served as a Leadership Journeys featured speaker, are Gina Drinkwater, Shop Superintendent at Metra (left), and Jere Alwin, Signal Design Manager of Metra (right), who were presented with awards as part of the 2024 Railway Age Women in Rail and 2025 RT&S Women in Railroad Engineering programs, respectively.
“#NOPB [New Orleans Public Belt] proudly celebrates Ari Ferrand Goodwin SHRM-CP, CAPM [pictured right], our Director of Organizational Development, for being named one of the Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail! Ari’s leadership and dedication to fostering inclusivity and driving professional growth across our organization embody the spirit of innovation and excellence that moves our industry forward. Her recognition is a testament to her impact — not only within the rail community but also in creating a workplace where every employee can thrive. Congratulations, Ari, on this well-deserved honor!” (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of New Orleans Public Belt Via Social Media)
Industry mentors led the Commanding the Track: Your Leadership Toolkit session. The topics addressed were:
• How to be an effective leader, with 29-year railroad industry veteran Karen Claussen, Vice Chair, Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. and SVP, Knoxville Locomotive Works (pictured above).
• How to manage a crisis, with Henrika Buchanan, Senior Vice President, National Practice Consultant, Transit & Rail Market Sector, HNTB. A 2024 Railway Age Women in Rail Award honoree, she is pictured (top right) with Carolina Worrell. (Photograph Courtesy of Lisa Tackach)
• Building a productive team, with Kari Gonzales, President and CEO, MxV Rail. A 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail Award honoree, she is pictured (far right) with Marybeth Luczak. (Photograph Courtesy of MxV Rail)
• Fast-tracking your career, with Cassandra Mullee, Vice President Network Operations, CN. A 2022 Railway Age 25 “Fast Trackers” Under 40 Award honoree, she is pictured below with Jennifer McLawhorn. (Photograph Courtesy of Marybeth Luczak)
[T]he right toolkit doesn’t just elevate your leadership; it empowers your entire journey. It’s a true privilege to be part of this conference. Throughout my journey in rail, I’ve been honored to receive recognition through several industry awards, but the real reward has been learning, growing, and now sharing the leadership tools that helped me get here.”
—Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail
How to successfully market yourself was the focus of Executive Edge: Branding, Negotiation and Presence. Experts Anna Guzman, Vice President – HR Business Partner, Wabtec (second from right); Cherise Myers, Senior Director of Workforce Development, APTA (far right); Ashley Nelson, Chief Human Resources Officer, AITX (center); and Kari Wagner, Vice President Commercial Strategy, The Greenbrier Companies (second from left) led the informative and crowd-pleasing discussion, providing winning advice on developing an executive presence and asking for a raise, and building a network, a skills portfolio, and a personal brand. Never shying away from questions, they tackled how to navigate the potential of being called “too aggressive” or “calculating” when going after promotions; AI-based candidate selection; imposter syndrome; and much more. (Photograph Courtesy of AITX)
Wrapping up the education sessions on Oct. 15 was Allyship to Action: Maintaining a Culture of Belonging moderated by Barbara Wilson, Railroad Financial Corporation Senior Advisor and one of Railway Age’s Women in Rail Award judges. Panelists discussed the importance of communication and engaging trainees, front-line employees, managers, and labor unions, plus upholding a culture of respect at California’s Metrolink regional/commuter rail agency (Paul Hubler, Chief Strategy Officer); Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (Scott Sandoval, Assistant Vice President, Engineering, American Region); and The Indiana Rail Road (Joe Gioe, former President and CEO). (Photograph Courtesy of Willie D. Mills)
A networking reception, sponsored by R.J. Corman, closed out Day One. As a bonus, author Chris Enss (far left) was on hand to share highlights from her latest book, “Iron Women,” celebrating women’s contributions to the rise of the rail industry. In addition, attendees visited the booths of conference sponsors and supporters like Anacostia Rail Holdings, Amsted Rail, and the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Railway Business Women, which turned 100 this year! (Photograph Courtesy of NARBW)
Day 2 brought together Dr. Karen Philbrick, the Mineta Transportation Institute’s Executive Director and a 2024 Railway Age Women in Rail Award recipient (third from left); Amy Krouse, Vice President Communications for the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (third from right); and Vianey De la Mora García, Director General of Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles (second from right), for the “Inclusive Growth and Emerging Talent” session. With the Railway Age and RT&S editors, they explored workforce trends and how organizations across the North American freight and passenger rail sectors are breaking down barriers and creating more accessible pathways for emerging talent. (Photograph Courtesy of Jonathan Chalon)
Taking the stage for our “Trackside Impact: Environment and Community” session were Kayden Howard, Senior Vice President, Health, Safety, and Environmental Programs, OmniTRAX (second from left); Sean Strong, Vice President of Environmental, Watco; and Brett Guarino, Project Manager, CSX Construction Engineering (2025 RT&S Women in Railroad Engineering Award winner; middle right). They covered how the industry is lowering carbon emissions through innovation, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and leading construction projects that deliver lasting, positive impacts, with moderator Lisa Tackach, Head of Marketing, Railroad Construction Company, Inc., and President, League of Railway Women. (Photograph Courtesy of Marybeth Luczak)
Christina Booth-Jackson, Vice President of IT for R.J. Corman and a 2024 Railway Age Women in Rail Award recipient (second from right), contributed insights on implementing IT systems that drive efficiency and allow employees to work smarter during the High-Tech Career Development and Industry Innovations panel. She was joined by Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at The Partnership for New York City (second from left), which teams with startups to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America. Leading the conversation were Carolina Worrell (far left) and Jennifer McLawhorn from Railway Age and RT&S, respectively. (Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman)
Sergeant Douglas Balk, Central Division Supervisor, Criminal Investigations at the Amtrak Police Department (left), and Moriah Whiteman, Director of Education and Training at Operation Lifesaver Inc. (right), reinforced the importance of rail safety during a special session with Marybeth Luczak of Railway Age. Also important, they discussed how attendees can get involved to spread the message by becoming authorized OLI volunteers. Following the training process, including online classroom work, these volunteers conduct free programs on rail safety education across large and small communities and participate in public awareness campaigns like “See Tracks? Think Train! Week,” an annual event across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that includes Operation Clear Track for law enforcement and first responders.
Conference attendees ended Day Two with a special tour sponsored by RailPros. They visited Bensenville Yard, Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s primary classification yard in Chicago. Located just south of O’Hare International Airport, Bensenville is a key logistics hub for the Class I railroad’s intermodal operations. It is also home to an auto compound, built as part of the yard reconfiguration project that started in 2022. Our sincere thanks to our guides: CPKC’s Larry Lloyd (AVP for US Government Affairs); Wes Gendi (Director of Industrial Development South); Jake Rinnels (General Manager of Operations), and Josh Pennington (Superintendent of Operation). (All Photographs Courtesy of Marybeth Luczak)
Attendees from all walks of the industry participated in the Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail Conference and shared their pictures via social media. We showcase a handful below. Thanks to all for joining us! Mark your calendar for next year: Oct. 6-7, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Ill. The Railway Age 2025 Women in Rail and RT&S 2026 Women in Railroad Engineering award honorees will be recognized.
(Photograph Courtesy of Willie D. Mills)
(Photograph Courtesy of G&W Via Social Media)
“UTLX and Procor were delighted to take part in the Women in Rail conference where we built connections with and heard from incredible women who are shaping the future of rail by bringing innovation, resilience, and leadership to the industry. As a sponsor of the event, the UTLX and Procor team repped in a big way! We thank Railway Age & Railway Track & Structures for hosting such an important event. To every woman breaking barriers, driving change, and lifting others along the way: your impact goes far beyond the rails. Let’s continue to build a more inclusive, empowered industry – together.” (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of UTLX and Procor Via Social Media)
